K.I.P.S. MK. II

Inspired by pocket PCs and modern smart devices, our team set out to create a portable computing platform with greater functionality, versatility, and modifiability than most commercially available alternatives.

K.I.P.S. Mk. I was originally developed for IEEE’s 2024–2025 internal projects competition. That prototype used a Raspberry Pi 4, a 10,000 mAh 3.6 V LiPo battery, and scroll-based controls intended to support mobile navigation. While the original concept was successful, the first version revealed several practical limitations. The system was physically bulky and top-heavy, exposed GPIO made internal wiring awkward, concentrated I/O placement reduced usability with peripherals, and the scroll-based controls proved difficult to integrate cleanly into the shell.

Even with those limitations, the core idea proved valuable: a wrist-mounted portable PC capable of operating in both mobile and desktop modes. K.I.P.S. MK. II is designed as a major refinement of that concept, reducing the form factor of both the circuitry and enclosure while improving usability, flexibility, and overall system integration.

Our goal is to design an affordable and portable personal computer that functions both as a wearable smart device and as a dedicated PC. The system is intended to give users immediate access to personal and environmental information while maintaining the expandability and utility expected from a more traditional computing platform.